DEEP reminds residents of forest fire danger

Wednesday

Apr 3, 2013 at 12:01 AMApr 3, 2013 at 3:14 AM

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced Wednesday that the state's Forest Fire Danger level is 'high' and the National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag warning from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. DEEP is reminding residents to be aware of forest fire dangers during the spring fire season.

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced Wednesday that the state's Forest Fire Danger level is 'high' and the National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag warning from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. DEEP is reminding residents to be aware of forest fire dangers during the spring fire season.

Any permit to burn brush is not valid when the Forest Fire Danger is rated high, very high, or extreme. Red Flag warnings are issued when winds will be sustained or there will be frequent gusts above a certain threshold, normally 25 mph.

“Last year, there were more than 500 reported fires in Connecticut that burned approximately 500 acres,” said DEEP Deputy Commissioner Susan Whalen. “Fires will be very difficult to control today especially when the winds are gusting over 20 mph this afternoon. Anyone spotting a forest fire should remain calm and dial 911 to report the fire as quickly as possible to the local fire department.”

DEEP encourages residents of Connecticut to protect their families and homes from forest fires by:

Making a fire safe zone around your house. Clean flammable vegetation and debris from at least 30 feet around the house and any outbuildings
Pruning away the lower limbs of evergreens that are within the fire safe zone. Evergreens catch fire easily during dry periods and burn quickly
Removing any limbs which overhang the roof or chimney
Regularly removing leaves and needles from gutters
Not storing firewood in the fire safe zone
Using fire resistant roofing materials
Making sure firefighters can find and access your home. Mark your house and roads clearly and prune away limbs and trees along your driveway which do not allow fire truck access
Having an escape plan and practicing it
Following state and local open burning laws
Staying with outside fires until they are completely safe and dead out
Disposing of wood ashes in a metal bucket, soaking them with water before dumping them.

For those who enjoy the use of Connecticut’s parks, forests, and open spaces, use fires with caution and follow these recommendations: